WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.480
 Well, welcome everyone. Welcome to the new series on Nehemiah's principles for life.

00:00:10.140 --> 00:00:16.480
 Over the coming weeks, we're going to examine our principles for life lived out in the life

00:00:16.480 --> 00:00:24.800
 of Nehemiah through prayer, faithfulness, opposition, leadership, and that word commitment.

00:00:24.800 --> 00:00:32.679
 The Nehemiah story comes at a point when rebuilding and restoring needs to take place.

00:00:33.520 --> 00:00:39.700
 Following God's plans, it's seemingly taken a bit of a backseat in Nehemiah's time,

00:00:39.859 --> 00:00:44.960
 and in order for God's people to thrive, to grow, and to prosper,

00:00:46.019 --> 00:00:53.040
 this needs to take place in the lives of the people that Nehemiah is called to serve.

00:00:53.039 --> 00:00:59.439
 The main events of this book take place in the spring and summer of BC 445.

00:01:00.619 --> 00:01:05.099
 And when we meet Nehemiah, he is a cupbearer for the Persian kings.

00:01:05.260 --> 00:01:13.680
 Now, this job was to taste the wine of, and if it's poisoned, then that's it.

00:01:13.980 --> 00:01:18.920
 He will be the first to know. I'd love to read the job specification for the role.

00:01:18.920 --> 00:01:22.480
 Well, it must have been fairly interesting and quite bold to take on, really.

00:01:23.219 --> 00:01:28.480
 Nehemiah was a Jew and, in theory, a slave to the kings,

00:01:28.599 --> 00:01:35.540
 yet his position was significant within the court, and he was well respected.

00:01:37.299 --> 00:01:40.780
 You see, at the outset, we get this picture of his character.

00:01:40.780 --> 00:01:49.900
 Nehemiah was solid, dependable, he was committed, and yet he receives a visit from his brother,

00:01:50.299 --> 00:01:59.180
 his brother called Hanani, who tells him that the gates and walls of the holy city of Jerusalem are in ruins.

00:01:59.180 --> 00:02:08.920
 The temple is still standing, but the decline in the people's morale, their spirituality,

00:02:09.480 --> 00:02:14.580
 and general apathy about God left the city vulnerable,

00:02:15.240 --> 00:02:22.420
 and Jerusalem, the city of God, its people and its building, its wall, was in a sorry state.

00:02:22.419 --> 00:02:29.879
 In the principles for life that we're about to look at, God calls us,

00:02:30.719 --> 00:02:34.119
 and God called Nehemiah to the vulnerable.

00:02:36.159 --> 00:02:38.479
 Defend the cause of the weak and the fatherless,

00:02:38.599 --> 00:02:43.759
 maintain the rights of the poor and the oppressed, it says in Deuteronomy 10.18.

00:02:43.759 --> 00:02:52.539
 He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow and loves the alien, giving him food and clothing.

00:02:52.759 --> 00:02:55.479
 Jesus identified with that.

00:02:56.899 --> 00:03:02.780
 We meet him in those who are in need, for I was hungry and you gave me something to eat.

00:03:03.199 --> 00:03:06.079
 I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink.

00:03:06.280 --> 00:03:08.680
 I was a stranger, you invited me in.

00:03:08.840 --> 00:03:10.899
 I needed clothes and you clothed me.

00:03:11.139 --> 00:03:13.060
 I was sick and you looked after me.

00:03:13.060 --> 00:03:14.640
 It's a Jesus principle.

00:03:14.800 --> 00:03:16.800
 Jesus said it again and again.

00:03:16.960 --> 00:03:23.140
 God touches the heart and the life of Nehemiah and us through this series.

00:03:24.580 --> 00:03:26.259
 What needs to be rebuilt?

00:03:26.740 --> 00:03:30.780
 Well, what is God asking of us all in this time?

00:03:30.939 --> 00:03:37.140
 At the end, as we come to maybe the end of these long, long 15 months,

00:03:37.420 --> 00:03:41.080
 as you will see in the story of Nehemiah and the principles for life,

00:03:41.080 --> 00:03:47.040
 that everybody, everybody came together to rebuild.

00:03:47.720 --> 00:03:51.939
 It's a message that flies off the page of Scripture and into our hearts.

00:03:52.060 --> 00:03:57.700
 And over these past months, the needs of some areas of this community have increased.

00:03:57.699 --> 00:04:04.839
 And like Nehemiah, there has been a call to step in and step up to that call.

00:04:05.599 --> 00:04:13.439
 And maybe even more at this time as we move towards the 21st of June, that magic date.

00:04:13.439 --> 00:04:21.379
 There are many that you will know, but one area particularly is child hunger.

00:04:22.259 --> 00:04:29.259
 Here amongst us and amongst other agencies, our own TLG, Transforming Lives for Good,

00:04:29.659 --> 00:04:33.959
 Make Lunch team have brought boxes of hope for children.

00:04:33.959 --> 00:04:37.219
 Led by Helen and others in the team, they have been active.

00:04:37.339 --> 00:04:42.000
 And this month, TLG nationally has recorded, not celebrated,

00:04:42.259 --> 00:04:48.359
 because we all wish that this injustice of child hunger didn't exist, but it did.

00:04:48.719 --> 00:04:57.939
 One million meals have been provided by TLG volunteers across this country through boxes of hope.

00:04:57.939 --> 00:05:03.019
 Please watch the clip at the beginning of this sermon.

00:05:05.139 --> 00:05:09.980
 One brick at a time rebuilt the wars of Jerusalem.

00:05:10.639 --> 00:05:17.399
 As we heard in the story of Nehemiah, one meal at a time rebuilds a child's life.

00:05:17.939 --> 00:05:26.540
 One prayer at a time allows us to listen to God's call on our lives and act in the power of the Holy Spirit.

00:05:26.540 --> 00:05:29.400
 That's the exciting bit about this series.

00:05:30.020 --> 00:05:34.379
 You know, Nehemiah had to decide, and we all have to decide.

00:05:34.480 --> 00:05:35.379
 He had to decide.

00:05:35.740 --> 00:05:42.920
 Do I stay in this comfortable palace with status, security and favour of my employers?

00:05:43.939 --> 00:05:46.259
 Or do I obey God's call?

00:05:46.379 --> 00:05:47.680
 Whatever that might be.

00:05:47.680 --> 00:05:56.959
 And it was certainly very, very stark for Nehemiah to make a difference to the situation that God has shown him and called him into.

00:05:57.079 --> 00:05:59.340
 You may have had that call in your life.

00:05:59.459 --> 00:06:08.800
 You may know that, what that actually means when that challenge of God's call comes to you and that opportunity is placed in front of you.

00:06:08.800 --> 00:06:14.300
 As we followed this series, you will see through how Nehemiah responded.

00:06:15.240 --> 00:06:18.579
 How he wept over the city and its moral decline.

00:06:19.100 --> 00:06:21.800
 And his heart for the people.

00:06:22.560 --> 00:06:24.420
 How he responded to God's call.

00:06:24.540 --> 00:06:35.660
 How he motivated and engaged the people of God to trust in the Lord and rebuild not only their city, but their lives and their community.

00:06:35.660 --> 00:06:38.960
 To value the presence of God amongst them.

00:06:39.260 --> 00:06:43.900
 To restore the values of what it means to be faithful and committed followers of God.

00:06:44.680 --> 00:06:50.860
 You know, frankly, to motivate them to do what God was asking of them.

00:06:51.200 --> 00:06:56.700
 And to restore not only the city, but the lives of the people of God.

00:06:58.040 --> 00:07:01.200
 You know, that's such an exciting call of God.

00:07:01.660 --> 00:07:03.620
 But seems mammoth to us, doesn't it?

00:07:03.620 --> 00:07:08.959
 How maybe as we look at our community, how can we serve?

00:07:10.019 --> 00:07:16.639
 How can we reach out into our community in the ways that God is calling us to do that?

00:07:16.639 --> 00:07:24.240
 To be a beacon to others in a selfless and prayerful action as we rebuild.

00:07:24.240 --> 00:07:27.420
 Not just the wars, but as Nehemiah did.

00:07:27.879 --> 00:07:32.639
 That he restored the confidence of God that had been placed in those people.

00:07:33.040 --> 00:07:34.139
 And they responded.

00:07:35.740 --> 00:07:40.040
 This series will ask a lot of each and every one of us.

00:07:41.040 --> 00:07:44.720
 What are the main principles in my discipleship with Jesus?

00:07:44.720 --> 00:07:51.120
 No matter what age I am, where I am, what am I prepared to do?

00:07:51.240 --> 00:07:52.300
 Where do I resist?

00:07:52.820 --> 00:07:55.060
 Where have I resisted to follow?

00:07:55.180 --> 00:07:56.760
 What excuses of our need?

00:07:58.760 --> 00:08:02.960
 It's a big call that he has asked of Nehemiah, yet he responds.

00:08:02.959 --> 00:08:13.319
 And as we embark on this series, we start by asking, where do the wars of our culture need rebuilding?

00:08:13.500 --> 00:08:20.479
 What are you calling me, Lord, to make a difference in what I do and what I say, how I respond?

00:08:20.480 --> 00:08:29.280
 To the morals, to the values, to the disciplines, to prayer, to Bible study, to my joy in sharing, my generosity.

00:08:30.000 --> 00:08:32.039
 The list goes on and on and on.

00:08:32.460 --> 00:08:35.800
 Serving may be, as we do with different groups.

00:08:36.580 --> 00:08:43.639
 Maybe offering to do things that might seem unrelated, but are so important to rebuilding,

00:08:43.639 --> 00:08:48.920
 like admin, giving lifts to others again as they come to church.

00:08:48.919 --> 00:08:53.099
 Offering to provide hospitality, to serve tea and coffee.

00:08:53.459 --> 00:08:58.699
 Maybe as a home group, offering once a month to serve others on a regular basis.

00:08:59.199 --> 00:09:05.240
 You know, do I communicate to the life of my church and community, my family, by willingly,

00:09:06.439 --> 00:09:13.379
 as Nehemiah did, willingly increasing that which I can give,

00:09:13.379 --> 00:09:19.419
 both in my time and maybe in my giving as well, to the community that God calls me to,

00:09:19.679 --> 00:09:22.740
 and the community that I guess we have a heart for.

00:09:23.120 --> 00:09:24.059
 I hope we do.

00:09:24.279 --> 00:09:25.399
 I'm sure we do.

00:09:25.799 --> 00:09:28.159
 Otherwise, we wouldn't have been called here.

00:09:30.700 --> 00:09:34.200
 Nehemiah, as you will discover, is a good news story.

00:09:34.759 --> 00:09:36.299
 A very good news story.

00:09:36.299 --> 00:09:42.059
 And if you don't like spoilers, if you, and many people don't,

00:09:42.539 --> 00:09:49.199
 if you don't like spoilers, then I want you to know the end before we've even begun.

00:09:49.359 --> 00:09:51.679
 But I won't give that spoiler to you now.

00:09:51.759 --> 00:09:58.659
 I'm giving you the opportunity now to press mute if you don't want to know how this ends,

00:09:59.099 --> 00:10:02.120
 or even just put your fingers in your ears if you like.

00:10:02.120 --> 00:10:06.200
 Here it comes.

00:10:07.639 --> 00:10:11.620
 The story ends that the people came together.

00:10:12.560 --> 00:10:14.700
 They came together, everyone.

00:10:15.139 --> 00:10:20.720
 They grafted, they gave sacrificially, they gave spiritually, and grew together.

00:10:20.840 --> 00:10:23.679
 They grew together in a people of God.

00:10:23.679 --> 00:10:29.299
 They were one once again, bonded together in a common purpose,

00:10:29.599 --> 00:10:34.120
 in their love and service to the Lord and to each other.

00:10:34.699 --> 00:10:38.079
 They worshipped, they lived, they gave, they shared.

00:10:38.319 --> 00:10:43.599
 And this mammoth project, this mammoth project of rebuilding the walls

00:10:43.599 --> 00:10:46.679
 that had happened over so many years,

00:10:47.419 --> 00:10:51.039
 happened within 10 years?

00:10:51.039 --> 00:10:52.519
 Five? No.

00:10:53.579 --> 00:10:54.120
 Five?

00:10:54.659 --> 00:10:56.159
 Not even five.

00:10:57.240 --> 00:11:02.860
 The whole city was rebuilt in 52 days.

00:11:03.759 --> 00:11:05.480
 52 days.

00:11:06.879 --> 00:11:10.459
 Probably about the time of this sermon series.

00:11:10.460 --> 00:11:14.300
 Shall we rebuild together?

00:11:15.300 --> 00:11:21.400
 Will we come together, listen to God's call on our lives as a gathered church,

00:11:21.879 --> 00:11:28.660
 and hear what he is saying to us at this crucial time of rebuilding?

00:11:29.800 --> 00:11:32.019
 I really hope you enjoy this series.

00:11:32.780 --> 00:11:33.620
 Let's pray together.

00:11:35.620 --> 00:11:36.400
 Let's pray.

00:11:36.399 --> 00:11:40.019
 Trust in the Lord with all your heart.

00:11:42.059 --> 00:11:43.799
 Holy Spirit, would you come?

00:11:44.480 --> 00:11:49.879
 Come amongst us as each one of us responds to your call to rebuild.

00:11:50.559 --> 00:11:53.419
 Engage us afresh, Lord, in the following days.

00:11:53.879 --> 00:11:57.860
 And may we live and lift you high in every part of our lives

00:11:57.860 --> 00:12:01.320
 and build like the kingdom is near.

00:12:03.740 --> 00:12:07.039
 In the blessing of God, Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit

00:12:07.039 --> 00:12:09.379
 be with you and remain with you

00:12:09.379 --> 00:12:15.320
 as we respond to his calling individually and together.

00:12:16.060 --> 00:12:17.360
 In Jesus' name.

00:12:17.940 --> 00:12:18.300
 Amen.

00:12:18.300 --> 00:12:18.379
 Amen.

00:12:18.379 --> 00:12:18.440
 Amen.

00:12:18.440 --> 00:12:18.460
 Amen.

00:12:18.460 --> 00:12:18.480
 Amen.

00:12:18.480 --> 00:12:18.500
 Amen.

00:12:18.500 --> 00:12:18.519
 Amen.

00:12:18.519 --> 00:12:18.539
 Amen.

00:12:18.539 --> 00:12:20.519
 Amen.

00:12:20.519 --> 00:12:20.580
 Amen.

00:12:20.580 --> 00:12:22.519
 Amen.

00:12:22.519 --> 00:12:22.580
 Amen.

00:12:22.580 --> 00:12:24.519
 Amen.

00:12:24.519 --> 00:12:24.580
 Amen.